The Acting National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Dr Kayode Farinto, has said, “The unfriendly business attitude of some Customs officials is working against the federal government trade policies.”

Dr Farinto specifically  harped on the issue of multiple alerts, he opined, “With the post clearance audit (PCA), unit of every customs Command, any command involved in multiple alerts is not facilitating trade and also working against the Federal government policy on the Ease of doing Business at the Ports.”

He  disclosed this information in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital during his three days working visit to the Eastern Zone of ANLCA.

However, the Acting ANLCA boss, recommended a harmonized alert system to facilitate trade and remove bottlenecks in the cargo clearance and exit of containers from the Ports.

Farinto asserted that, ” All members of ANLCA should always take compliance as their watchword in carrying out their businesses so as to sustain the existing cordial relationship with the Nigeria Customs Service our twin brothers.”

In his welcome address, Dr Farinto, said, “I commend members of the eastern zone of our association for always standing tall as one body and making sure the association impacted positively on the members ”

Adding,  “I promised that the association’s National Executive Committee (NECOM) would always fight and protect the welfare and Interest of all ANLCA members.”

He assured that, “Their shall be constant engagement with various strata of government, including the National Assembly for a review of some fiscal policies that are affecting the maritime industry and Nigerians in general.”

While pushing for collaboration and synergy with government agencies and other stakeholders,  Dr Farinto, warned,  “The  government officials will continue to mount stumbling blocks , sometimes to frustrate members out of business, but ANLCA must work as a team to overcome such challenges.”

He thanked all the NECOM members, BOT leaders and Chieftains of the ANLCA in the Eastern zone on behalf of our National President, Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike, for always standing tall to lead the way for the association.

His words:   “I’m not unmindful of the efforts and great sacrifices put up by all the leaders and members of this zone in making sure ANLCA remains one family, despite our challenges.”

On the forthcoming ANLCA NECOM elections, Farinto reiterated,   “The association has gone through a lot in the last four years and it was high time right and faithful leaders are chosen to champion the new ANLCA of our dreams.”

The three days working visit which kicked off from the Port Harcourt International airport Omagwa Chapter where members through their chairman Mr Charles Onyema bemoaned the poor cargo traffic, moved to Customs Area1,Rivers Port where Customs Area 1, Comptroller Mohammed Ibrahim welcomed the ANLCA boss Dr Farinto whom he promised a harmonious working relationship while pledging immediate training of ANLCA members.

The three days eastern zonal visit was rounded off by the induction of some ANLCA members into the Institute of Export Operations and Management.